During a huge ‘ruin-storm’ that sweeps across the City, Spider is rendered incapacitated. Upon his revival in Yelana’s father’s house, a doctor diagnoses him with a degenerative brain disease due to neurological degradation from multiple exposure to information pollen.

After the storm dies down, Spider and his Filthy Assistants discover that someone has destroyed all the of the new records in the Print District, including the proof they needed to fight The Smiler.